The Book of Common

Dunes An Home

Could tell we was gettin close, that black an red sand was scattered about along the pack. Been riding near three hours, not a pain one. The real test a be gettin off this critter. That I am not looking forward ta. Billy Bob right nice feller, most Texicans are fer the most part.

Told him about that time, I was out Texas way. Ya remember, that time the wagon done broke. That place, I said, looked like the backside of a mule. Told him I was sorry an all about that bein said.

He laughed then said, these dunes look like the backside of a mule. I say agreed. I looked at Billy Bob, ask will I a know when it's time? We both eased back on the reins. Came ta a stop, I say needs a break. Dang no real pain, just joint stiff is all.

We stood a spell, then he pulled his hat off fanned himself a bit. Depends Common he say, if it's natural some think they know it's comin, accident,  or shootin, hangin don't thinks ya know. It's just over.

Tell me true then I ain'ts dead, an not knowing it?
Billy why he laughed so hard, he dang near fell, thought he was goin ta roll around also. Common he say not dead yet, still don't rightly know when.
My thinking is they testin me, see what I do if ya try an run after. Or see ifin I let ya live an not die.

Live not die, well Folks that got my mind to goin.
Ifin ya let me live? Ya can fix me, ya saying? He looked at me, say that slipped out, Common done one time I will admit ta. Let's not go any further, ya not gettin saved, hell was paid over that, it was.

I guess ya know where this youngster is I be a lookin fer. Can't say, he says we just on the edge of the dunes, lead the way Common. We walked the dunes were to much fer the horses at one point. They would step near a foot deep inta the sand.

Billy Bob asked about, how mets Beth an all. Remember how I was so depressed an ready ta quit Rangerin. Told him about how we stayed tagether, for few weeks an went south tagather.
Had, our daughter Liz an I ended up in Ohio ta warn Norm Parson junior, about the Trackers back out again.

Billy never once, judged my me or my stories about my life. We gots along like two friends known each other a life time. Hell he probably knows more about me, than I do. Truth be told, he can probably see my entire life, just thinkin about it. Me an Billy would been friends, we met a few years back. I finally asks, thinkin he might a been a real person at one time, how you die Billy Bob Travis, added William Robert Travis ta it.

He smirked mumbled something, then just say no matter, Common it happened long ago. Only say it was battle like none ya want ta see. I fanned myself with my hat, say no matter Billy Bob, that name has a nice sound ta it. Like a drink of corn drippins?  He shook his head, hot best try an ride some before it gets ta dark ta see.

Folks about, midday we saw that young red-headed Carolina Shield, using her sword as a walking stick to pull herself up the dunes. Wrap was dirty her face covered in dust, could tell her water bags were low, the way they swung. Billy grabbed the reins of my horse, he nodded we stay put. She has ta do this on her own.

Folks, I felt the need ta help, just new her mission was important. I said Billy we haves ta help, she is about done! Can't ya tell, she needs us. Billy nods tears runnin down his face. Common look it's over.
Look ta your left. Folks I looked I lay slumped over the neck of my horse, dead so dead. How long I asks. Billy wiped his face, Common only a few minutes, just after you saw her.

Can ya finish this here story? Tell them how I left this world. Billy let's have one more drink, does she make it to her destination? Common he says. I shout per our terms! Does she make it? Finish my story!

Common she makes it all the way ta your tower, a young fella Ranger from Bama leaves with her.

That drink I say, ifin I can still taste it, can ya make it a good barrel aged one? Common the good stuff is in my saddle bag, I'll finish the story, I swear ta it. We won't be heathens I have glasses. I'll even rig a bell to your horse so someone will find you. Yes, you will taste it. Then I say good, let's have drink before what ever happens.

I William Robert Travis, also known as Billy Bob Travis. Finish this here story, per my agreement with Common Howard Ranger these Thirteen Lands. From York way, city of York. York Ranger, Virginia and Ohio Ranger. Who told his stories best he could remember, that far as I could tell were true, to the best he could recollect. I rigged a bell and fixed him best I could to his horse. Left to roam the Wasteland till found.

We had a drink and talked for about an hour, when Common saw the light, told me it was time, with a fresh whisky in his hand an toast ta me an Bone. He entered the light. His toast was Billy Bob Travis may ya an Bone only have good times, when not needed.
That one feller has been ta the after life, he ain't  goin soon. My thinkin is ya will be busy all of ya angles of death. Think they is a War brewin. Then he drank the last drop an moved inta the light.

Although I never really agreed to a agree to Commons terms, I followed that young red-head till she met that Ranger, Ben was his name Ben Stanson,
Ranger from Missisip, transferred to the Bama Rangers. In fact that Ranger, found Common and  his book. Hope he finds time to read it. Common if you hear me, we would of been friends. Hope Home is what you thought it be.

Yes Common you are right, they is death in the wind. War be comin. Bone and me a be real busy. Know I'll catch hell over this. The man died in the Wasteland this is just an hallucination, so Common and his book were sent to roam the Wasteland. Per our agreement.
Yours Truly
Billy Bob Travis- William Robert Travis.

Thanks, all for reading. Common was a joy to write.
Most times all I did was say, Common what ya want ta talk about. At times Common didn't know when to quit. What started out as entertainment for Sarna and Ben, became The Book of Common. You are saying Billy Bob didn't have a big part. I beg to differ,
he listened talked and heard out Common. Made sure he did what he wanted. Billy Bob Travis was Commons ear. tlryder thank you for letting Billy Bob ride along on Commons last Ride. Hope I did him proud. Again thanks for reading.
Dram12